Taxes: outrageous.

[Oldem]

I'm finding Tom Hartmann very educational reading every day. So thanks to the DU member who posted something from his site a few days ago.

This time, he further examines the war Reagan waged on the middle class, using tax law. For example, we're being taxed twice on some "income" and being taxed on tips, which aren't income at all.

Hartmann urges a return to pre-Reagan tax policy.

[link:https://hartmannreport.com/p/its-time-to-roll-back-reagans-middle|

[leftieNanner]

1. Thom is a DU member himself

And he regularly posts here.

Another great resource we have on DU! Thanks for the heads-up.

[Oldem]

2. My apologies to Thom for misspelling his first name.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. How are tips not income? NT

[TreasonousBastard]

5. They are not wages, but more like gifts. Always technically taxable, but not...

reported or collected until the Reagan Revolution.

[Oldem]

6. Also, they aren't regular and predictable, like wages. There's no way to know

if there will be a tip or if there is one, what percentage of the tab it will be. Thom makes this point, but you gave the principle explanations, TreasonousBastard.

[TwilightZone]

8. Calling them gifts is a stretch.

They're compensation for services performed. The idea that they're gifts seems to have originated with libertarians and is intentionally obtuse.

[TreasonousBastard]

9. Not really a stretch. There was no employment contract assumed or implied and agreement of...

the amount. Anyway, this is about taxes, and tips, for tax purposes, are more like a gift. And gifts are taxed if declared.

[CrispyQ]

4. He's written some excellent books, too.

But my fave is this one: We the People: A Call to Take Back America - Amazon

It's graphic novel about our government & Constitution. The first part is a bit dated, from back in the Bush years, but it covers concepts like government by the people & corporate personhood. It also covers our early history with tyranny & sedition. It's a great primer for adults & a wonderful book for kids.

[madville]

7. Federal tax bill was $5400 for 2020

But I’ve received 3200 in stimulus so I just look at it like I’m getting some of my own money back.